Chip Ganassi is used to winning. Last year, his CART team captured four victories and seven poles. Since 1996, Ganassi drivers have won 34 races in 92 starts. But that was with luminaries like Alex Zanardi, Jimmy Vasser and Juan Montoya behind the wheel. This year, Team Target is outfitting two newcomers, Bruno Junquiera and Nicolas Minassian. Ganassi is still full of confidence, but as any father can tell you, turning over the keys to a couple of guys who just got their licenses will make your palms a little sweaty.

They didn't get off to a flying start. Their practice runs were raggedy, and simply qualifying was a chore. While Minassian managed to snag the 14th position, Junquiera clocked in at 28th. Out of 28 available spots. Candidly, team officials admitted that the cars weren't running as well as they'd like. But they also said they'd be ready when the green flag dropped.

When the race began, the troubles continued. Junquiera, struggling with his tires, required an extra pit stop in the early going. Minassian rode about 20 laps with (Lord, hide the women and children) a broken seat belt. And yes, he found the experience uncomfortable. ("It's a nightmare," he said, clinching next year's Oscar for understatement.)

Bruno steadily chewed up ground on the field. By lap 21, he was in 23rd place. By lap 30, he was up to 16th. After lap 50, Junquiera had moved into the 11th position. With lap 65 complete, Junquiera was in ninth place, having made an impressive nine passes. Minassian was active as well, reaching the eighth spot by lap 54.

When the checkered flag came down, Ganassi was not employing a first place driver. But while winner Helio Castroneves literally climbed the fences in celebration (a dangerous activity considering cars were still driving around), there was joy in the Team Target pits as well.

Minassian and Junquiera finished eighth and ninth, respectively, an encouraging result. After the race, the mood was light. Worry had given way to optimism. "I finished my first champ car race, and picked up some points. It gives us confidence," a pleased Junquiera said.

Ganassi too was smiling like the Cheshire Cat as he entered the Team Target hospitality tent. His new guys returned their cars safely to the garage, in better shape than when they picked up the keys that morning.